Hamdard scoffs at made-in-Turkey alliance

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Juma Khan Hamdard, a senior member of the Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) in the north, claims the newly formed opposition alliance is not in the interest of the existing system.

The coalition was aimed at protecting the personal interest of certain political leaders and strengthening their positions. He admitted the government was faced with issues, suggesting a political consensus being prepared by HIA.

Speaking exclusively to Pajhwok Afghan News, Hamdard -- formerly the governor of Baghlan, Jawzjan and Paktia provinces -- said that he had not come to Balkh on a political mission, but wanted to meet family members and supporters.

Referring to the coming parliamentary and district council elections, he said more work was needed to be done this time to ensure transparent polls. Past elections were not fair, he alleged, saying the poll panels were under the control of the government.

Rigging and fraud in the elections had frustrated the masses, but despite deep disappointment, voters went to the polls again and again, he noted. The people were repeatedly discouraged, he regretted.

The HIA would enthusiastically contest the Wolesi Jirga election and work hard to make its presence felt. The entire government machinery was under the control of a certain group, widening the chasm between the Presidential Palace and the masses, he added.

The political alliance by some leaders in the north was fruitless, the ex-governor insisted. All political parties should have been taken into confidence if the alliance was really aimed at finding a political solution to issues. He opined three notorious commanders could not make a successful alliance against the government.

Reports said the meeting agreed upon establishment a new political front named “High Council of Coalition for Salvation of Afghanistan”.

The alliance also spelled out its priorities including the full implementation of the accord on the unity government, restoration of legitimate powers of Gen. Dostum, the CEO and his deputies.

Hamdard said he did not know against whom the new front had been formed, because the founding leaders had a major shares in the government. The people of the north were tired of such groupings, he believed.

He acknowledged multiple problems were being faced by the incumbent government. The HIA has sent its emissaries to other political leaders in a bid to evolve a national consensus on how to deal with the crisis.

Hamdard claimed conspiracies were being hatched in northern Afghanistan against his party, with many of HIA leaders killed and injured. He charged some officials colluded with the Taliban at killing prominent leaders of the party.

He regretted the ongoing fighting in the north and said the current conflict was not Afghanistan’s own and the presence of Daesh was a foreign conspiracy, which could be blunted with national unity.